PM Narendra Modi's ministers following 'one controversy a day policy': Congress

NEW DELHI: Claiming that ministers in the NDA government were following "one controversy a day policy", the Congress today demanded sacking of V K Singh and an unqualified apology from Kiren Rijiju over their controversial remarks that came in for sharp attack from the opposition.

Terming Singh's dog remark on Dalit killing in Faridabad as "highly reprehensible and inhumane", party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said, "Gen VK Singh's statement reflects the all pervading anti-dalit and anti-poor mindset of Modi government."

In a strongly-worded statement here, he also demanded a case under Sections 3 and 4 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 to be immediately lodged against the Union Minister.

The Congress leader said Prime Minister Narendra Modi must not only remove Singh from the Union Cabinet but also tender an apology to the nation and the dalit community.

"We condemn and reject this 'one controversy a day policy' by ministers of Modi government.

"Anti-dalit mindset of Modi government is not restricted to insulting remarks and review of reservation alone but extends to widespread cuts in welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes," he said while demanding a comprehensive statement along with an apology on the issue from the Prime Minister.

On Rijiju's comments that North Indians enjoy breaking rules, Surjewala said, "The statement of Minister of State Home, Shri Kiren Rijiju describing all North Indians as criminals as they take pride in violating the law is an insult to the entire nation."

He said the fact that the statement was made in presence of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who chose not to controvert the same, made it even "more condemnable".

Asserting that Congress rejects any such stereotyping of North Indians from Bihar to Gujarat, he demanded an unequivocal apology from Rijiju, failing which he said the minister should be sacked.

"Rajnath Singh must also apologize for consenting by silence," he added.